Landmark permit issued for 280 WASHINGTON AVENUE, BROOKLYN in Clinton Hill

Landmark building permit details

Location 280 WASHINGTON AVENUE, BROOKLYN
Issue date June 3, 2008
(?) COFA COFA 08-9596

Certificates of Appropriateness (COFAs) are issued by the landmarks commission when it approves such things as building construction, demolition and visible additions to historic property. The certificates require a public hearing and the entire process can take several months.

Docket 08-8335
Historic district Clinton Hill
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date March 25, 2014
Text

Pursuant to Section 25-307 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Landmarks Preservation
Commission, at the Public Meeting of March 25, 2008, following the Public Hearing of the same date, voted to
approve a proposal for the demolition of the rear extension, deck, and railing, and construction of a new curved
extension and steel stair and landing, and replacement of stained glass at six (6) windows at the first and second
floors on the north side yard façade, at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed
February 28, 2008, and as you were notified in Status Update Letter 08-8357 (LPC 08-3038), issued on March
25, 2008. The approval will expire March 25, 2014.

The proposed work, as approved, consists of demolition of the non-historic trellis in the rear; demolition of the
rear storage room extension; construction of a new one-story brick extension to follow the curve of the existing
foundation wall; installation of a band of cast stone between the existing brick foundation wall and the brick wall;
installation of four (4) one-over-one double-hung wood windows and one (1) new wood door at the new curved
façade; installation of a standing seam copper roof over the extension; demolition of the non-historic deck, post,
railings, and stair; installation of a steel stair and landing at the parlor level at the south side of the extension;
removal of the existing window, enlargement of the opening, and installation of one (1) new wood door within
the lengthened opening; at the first floor of the north side yard façade, removal of the stained glass within four (4)
windows, and installation of new leaded glass in each of these windows; at the second floor of the north side yard
façade, removal of the stained glass within two (2) windows, and installation of new leaded glass within each of
these windows; as shown in current condition and historic photographs, and drawings labeled LPC-001,
LPC-002, LPC-003, LPC-004, LPC-005, LPC-301, LPC-302, LPC-303, LPC-304, LPC-305, and LPC-006, dated
March 12, 2008, and submitted as components of the application, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public
Meeting.

In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Clinton Hill Historic District designation report
describes 280 Washington Avenue as one of a pair of Queen Anne style houses designed by Marshall J. Morrill
in 1887; and that, in terms of style, scale, materials, and details, the building contributes to the special
architectural and historic character of the Clinton Hill Historic District. The Commission further noted that the
presence of a glass conservatory, dating from 1892, is documented by original drawings as well as the remaining
curved foundation wall; and that the stained glass windows to be removed are not original to the building but
were installed during ownership by the Catholic Church in the early-mid 20th century.

With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that demolition of the existing rear extension, deck and
railing will not result in the loss of or damage to significant architectural or historic features of the building; that
the proposed rear extension will follow the curve of the 1892 conservatory foundation wall and will bring the
building closer to its historic appearance and form; that the bricks used for the curved façade of the extension will
match the brick on the original foundation wall in size, shape, color, and texture; that a cast stone band set above
the foundation wall will improve the transition between the old and new brick; that the new steel stair and landing
in term of its materials, location and simple details will be harmonious with the proposed extension; that the
stained glass to be removed from six (6) windows is not original to the building but was installed during
subsequent ownership by a religious institution during the early-mid 20th century, and therefore, its removal will
not eliminate original fabric; that, because the stained glass in two (2) similar windows will be retained, a portion
of this era of the building's history will be preserved; that the design of the new leaded glass will draw details
from stained glass windows dating from an earlier era of the building's history; and that the substitution of new
leaded glass for the existing stained glass will ensure that the presence of this significant architectural feature will
be retained; and that the proposed work will enhance the special historic or architectural character of the Clinton
Hill Historic District. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed work to be appropriate
to the building and to the Historic District, and voted to approve it.

However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission stipulated that two copies of the final signed and
sealed Department of Buildings filing drawings be submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for
review and approval.

Subsequently, on April 13, 2008, the Commission received drawings LPC-001, LPC-002, LPC-003, LPC-004,
LPC-005, LPC-301, LPC-302, LPC-303, LPC-304, LPC-305, LPC-006, LPC-710A, LPC-710B, LPC-711,
LPC-712, and LPC-713, dated March 12, 2008; BD-001, BD-D100, BD-D101, BD-D102, BD-100, BD-101,
BD-102, BD-300; dated April 7, 2008, prepared by Kimberly Neuhaus, R.A; H1.01, H2.01, H2.02, H2.03, H3.00,
H3.01, H3.02, H4.01, H4.02, H4.03, H4.04, H6.01, H6.02, PH3.00, PH3.01, dated April 11, 2008, prepared by
Matthew Bendix, P.E., S100, S101, S102, S200, S202, S203, S300, S400, S401, and S402, dated April 1, 2008,
prepared by Joseph Tortarella, P.E., all submitted as components of the application. Accordingly, staff reviewed
the drawings and found that the proposal approved by the Commission has been maintained. Based on this and
the above findings, the drawings are marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness
08-8335 is being issued.

PLEASE NOTE: This permit is being issued in conjunction with Certificate of No Effect 09-0220 (LPC
09-0228), issued on May 27, 2008, for interior alterations, window replacement, and restorative facade work.

This permit is issued on the basis of the building and site conditions described in the application and disclosed
during the review process. By accepting this permit, the applicant agrees to notify the Commission if the actual
building or site conditions vary or if original or historic building fabric is discovered. The Commission reserves
the right to amend or revoke this permit, upon written notice to the applicant, in the event that the actual building
or site conditions are materially different from those described in the application or disclosed during the review
process.

All approved drawings are marked approved by the Commission with a perforated seal indicating the date of
approval. The work is limited to what is contained in the perforated documents. Other work or amendments to
this filing must be reviewed and approved separately. The applicant is hereby put on notice that performing or
maintaining any work not explicitly authorized by this permit may make the applicant liable for criminal and/or
civil penalties, including imprisonment and fines. This letter constitutes the permit; a copy must be prominently
PAGE 2
Issued: 6/3/08
DOCKET: 08-8335
displayed at the site while work is in progress. Please direct inquiries to Emily Goldman.




Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Kimberly Neuhaus, Neuhaus Design Architecture, P.C.

cc: Caroline Kane Levy, Deputy Director of Preservation, LPC




PAGE 3
Issued: 6/3/08
DOCKET: 08-8335

Added to EveryBlock on July 1, 2008.

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